This year’s Flag Field of Honor at Merrick Avenue Middle School notched fundraising over the $10,000 mark for various veterans’ organizations.
The flags were set up along the school’s front lawn on Nov. 2 with student volunteers, school clubs, teachers, administrators, veterans, local elected officials and community members joining the effort.
This year’s effort benefitted Honor Flight Long Island and the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
Sponsorship forms were shared with the school and Merrick community ahead of the installation. At Merrick Avenue, teacher Denise Schleith, and at Calhoun High School, teacher Sue Litwin were instrumental in raising money. The International Buddy Club, advised by Schleith and the Natural Helpers Club, advised by special education teacher Lauren Beinert, held a bake sale and bracelet sale to help with fundraising.
Two veterans addressed the crowd. Chris Levi, who has attended the past three years to speak, and Vincent Dellpaoli, a Vietnam veteran who was on the Oct. 5 Honor Flight and reunited with a fellow veteran who he had not seen since 1968.
The Mack family from Merrick, who have a daughter at Calhoun, have led this effort for the last five years.
“We would like to thank the Gubba family, the Demato family, and the Pucella family for being a part of our homegrown committee since 2020,” event organizer Jessica Mack explained. “Further, we would like to thank Mrs. Fox in the main office for collecting donation forms and organizing information, Lou Cila, for lining the field with precision and of course, special thanks to Merrick Avenue Principal Katelyn Dunn and Superintendent of Schools Michael Harrington for their supporting of this initiative.”
The flags will be on display in front of the Merrick Avenue building through the first week of December